The idea of how it works seems good, just like a human whiplash collar. Never used it myself but may be buying one for the TPLO this Tuesday. Did the cone once, didn't work well at all. Head hit ground and wouldn't move from the spot...total panic mode.

It may work for a while -- it did for Indy, then he figured a way around it. Using the inflatable and the "bucket" (regular e-collar) together worked much better and he never did manage a way around that.

Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.

I'm just cautious to leave the lampshade on when she's in her crate, but that's when she needs it - when I'm not there to supervise. I'd be more comfortable leaving the inflatable on all the time. Maybe Petsmart will have some of the floppy lampshades...wonder if those would work?

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

pitbullmamaliz wrote: I'd be more comfortable leaving the inflatable on all the time.

The "fail spot" on the inflatable is at the ends where the velcro attaches. Indy managed to get his head wedged in between the straps while he was wearing it and was able to get to his wound with no problem.

In this oh-so-attractive photo of him, you can see the "fail spot" right under his chin. No matter how tight we made the velcro and had the ends of the inflatable touch, he was able to wedge his big skull right in there. And, no matter what I tried to keep the inflatable from spinning around, the "fail spot" always ended up right under his chin.

pitbullmamaliz wrote: Maybe Petsmart will have some of the floppy lampshades...wonder if those would work?

Don't even bother with those. Indy's not the sharpest crayon in the box and he got around a floppy e-collar in about 2 seconds.

We left the inflatable/bucket combination on his head while he was in his crate all the time. It really didn't seem to bother him after the first day or so -- he got used to crashing into things.

Maybe what you can do is use the combination of the inflatable and the bucket, tied together and tied to her collar (tighten it up a bit), but just trim the bucket back so it's around her ear or eye level and not extending waaaaaay past her nose. The inflatable will make a pillow for her to be comfortable (and stop her from bending around to her belly) and the stiffness of the bucket will stop her from being able to reach the stitches.

Or, if you don't want to get an inflatable, maybe try folding a big beach towel the long way and wrap it around her neck (firmly but not too tight) like a human c-collar/neck brace, then pin it with safety pins. Then, tie the bucket to her regular flat collar (make sure to tighten the collar a bit so it won't slip over her head) and have her wear it just below her ears and right above the folded towel.

Since Indy was in a bucket for months after his cancer surgery, I got pretty creative, LOL.

Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.

pitbullmamaliz wrote:I didn't even think about trimming a regular e-collar.

The trimmed edges are wicked sharp after you cut them. You can use a lighter to melt the edges a bit, or some people tape the edges. Be careful with the tape, though. Some dogs have been known to peel the tape off and then eat it.

Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.

Also, if anyone does trim down an e-collar so that the dog's muzzle is able to stick out, you must use a back-up collar to keep the dog from bending its neck to reach the wound/stitches. If a dog's muzzle can reach the stitches, so can its tongue, and they can do a lot of damage just by licking a wound.

You can also try a soft t-shirt to cover the dog's torso, but make sure it doesn't rub or catch on the stitches. Knot the excess of the t-shirt on the dog's back, not the belly. Some dogs will try to scratch at the t-shirt with their back legs and that will sometimes damage the wound site, so make sure you supervise the dog the first couple of times s/he wears the shirt.

Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.

I'm trying just the inflatable collar at first. I got an XL so it sticks out pretty far. She has a short thick neck so I think it may be sufficient on its own. She's not real thrilled with me, but oh well!

Thanks all!

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

Have you seen her lick at the stitches? I'm just curious if you've just seen redness, because some dogs don't lick but use their hind legs to scratch, and in that case they need their hind feet bandaged.

I've done the e collar in the crate - it isn't fun, but if she's a mellow dog then I'm sure she'll be fine.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Well, I guess it depends on the dog. I used it a couple of years ago when Starlit got spayed. While wearing it she ripped out her stitches and off to the vet we had top go for it to be cortorized, and then it was a total pain because I had to keep it pressure wrapped for two weeks since they said restitching wasn't the best option.

Patch O' Pits Pursuit-O-Perfection

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg

Yeah, this piece of crap donut is going back to Petsmart. She's just going to have to put up with a regular lampshade. She doesn't seem to be chewing at the stitches but she's a VERY vigorous licker and I really fear they'll come out.

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

the moisture and contamination from the licking isn't good for healing, either.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07